The death toll of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip had climbed to 51,025 since the outbreak of the latest round of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, the Gaza-based health authorities said on Wednesday.
In a press statement, the health authorities said that 116,432 others have been wounded in the ongoing Israeli military assaults.
During the past 24 hours, 25 Palestinians were killed and 89 others wounded by Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling in various areas in the enclave, the health authorities said.
Since the resumption of Israeli military operations in Gaza on March 18 this year, 1,652 Palestinians have been killed and 4,391 others wounded, it added.
The Israeli military said Wednesday it is expanding the "Morag Corridor", a new dividing line in the southern Gaza Strip, and has turned roughly a third of the enclave into "security zones" under full Israeli military control.
An infographic video released by the military showed the "Morag Corridor" running through an area between Rafah and Khan Younis, cutting off Rafah from Khan Younis and central Gaza.
In the video, Khan Younis, southern Gaza's largest city, appeared almost completely razed, with only a few severely damaged buildings left.
"As part of the operation, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) has achieved full operational control over several key areas and routes throughout Gaza. Approximately 30 percent of the strip's territory is now designated as an Operational Security Perimeter," the military said in a statement.
The military said since March 18, it has carried out airstrikes on about 1,200 targets in Gaza. A total of 11 senior officials from Hamas' political bureau have been killed.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 51,025: health authorities
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
